G22 believes women are strong in different ways

G22 members (from left) Alfea, AJ, and Jaz in a concept photo for “Pa-Pa-Pa-Palaban.” Image: X/@G22Official

Since their debut in 2022, G22 has always believed that women are strong in their different ways. Carrying the title “Female Alphas of P-pop,” the trio are firecrackers onstage with their fiery charisma — usually seen as a symbol of strength. But they believe it goes beyond that.

The P-pop girl group — consisting of AJ, Alfea, and Jaz — has been gaining traction with their latest single “Pa-Pa-Pa-Palaban.” Released on Women’s Month, the girl group explained that the song is meant to show that women are fighters in their own ways.

“Ang goal namin is ma-put out and ma-loudspeaker pa ang message namin (Our goal is to put out our message, almost as if we want it to be displayed through a loudspeaker),” the group’s leader AJ recently told reporters on the sidelines of the “Out and Loud” event in Makati.

“Gusto namin marami kaming ma-empower na kabataan, especially sa kababaihan (We want to empower the youth, especially women),” she added.

One of the highlights of the single was the lyrics “Ekis sa bukabularyo ang ‘Babae ka lang’ / Pagkat walang kasarian ang pagiging matapang (“You are just a woman” does not exist in our vocabulary / Because courage knows no gender),” which further highlighted the message that G22 wanted to convey.

Touching on the topic, the members also received negative remarks where they felt like their worth as women was undermined.

“Siguro isa sa pinakaworst na nabasa namin is ‘yung cinocompare kami sa ibang babae. You don’t need to compare (One of the worst remarks we read is whenever we’re compared to other women. You don’t need to compare),” Alfea said. “You don’t need to compare or pit someone against the other. [Everyone] has their own uniqueness and they have their own colors.”

Anchoring on Alfea’s remarks, AJ said complimenting someone to put others down is an insult to her. “Hindi man siya bash (I wouldn’t consider this as bashing), but [it is] when someone compliments you then drags another person down.”

“Para sa akin, hindi siya compliment. Insult na siya in a way kasi kino-compliment mo ako pero tinatapakan mo ang ibang tao (For me, it is not a compliment. It’s an insult because you’re complimenting one person then using it to put another person down),” she added.

Jaz, on the other hand, said being told that she is “just a woman” is a form of underestimating their abilities.

“[Aside from that], it’s when we receive, ‘Babae lang kayo so hanggang diyan lang kayo’ or ‘dapat nandito lang kayo.’ You should never set a limit on women. We are limitless and it’s the message that we want to put out,” she said.

(Aside from that, it is when we receive comments like, “You’re just women so you’re meant to stay there” or “You should only be at a certain point.” You should never set a limit on women. We are limitless and it’s the message we want to put out.)

G22 in a behind-the-scenes photo of the “Pa-Pa-Pa-Palaban” performance video. Image: X/@G22Official

AJ also confessed that she’s not fond of receiving remarks where G22’s powerful concept is used as a weapon against more feminine concepts in the music scene. She reiterated that embracing one’s “softer side” is a form of strength, noting that women are strong in different ways.

“Honestly, hindi siya maganda,” she said when asked about the topic. “Iba-ibang version tayo ng katapangan. May mga matapang na vulnerable, naipapakita nila ang softer side nila. May matapang na [wherein] they’ll tell you what they think. Iba’t ibang version ang katapangan. Hindi dapat natin minamaliit ang katapangan ng iba’t ibang tao.”

(It’s honestly not nice. We’re strong in our own ways. Some women are strong and vulnerable. They can show their softer side to the public. Others are strong in the sense that they’re not scared to tell you what they think. There are different forms of strength. It shouldn’t be underestimated.)

Statement as women in P-pop

“Pa-Pa-Pa-Palaban” was supposed to be released sometime last year. However, it took a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure that the song was “perfect” enough.

“Hindi smooth ‘yung proseso noong time na ‘yun (The process wasn’t smooth back then),” AJ said of how it came to be. It wasn’t until the group decided to release the single on March 2025 as a celebration of International Women’s Month.

“It’s God’s perfect timing,” Alfea said, echoing Jaz’s remarks where she constantly noted God as one of the drivers behind their growing success. “Since March is Women’s Month, the time was perfect for us to release it. We really waited for March.”

The single also ushered in a new era for AJ, Alfea, and Jaz to embrace their femininity. Trading off their grunge and athleisure-inspired ensembles, the members were reminiscent of pin-up models in body-hugging outfits showing off their slim physiques and more glamorous makeup looks.

“We’re growing up. Being mature is, I guess, what we’re feeling now. What is the message that we want to put out? [For us], we feel more confident with the people we’re [surrounded] with. And to those who listen to our music, we want to spread the message to them,” Jaz explained.

G22 in a concept photo for “Pa-Pa-Pa-Palaban.” Image: X/@G22Official

The fierce lyrics, glamorous concept, and powerful concept led to “Pa-Pa-Pa-Palaban” gaining the attention of the public. Yet G22 would focus on how its results will amplify their motivation to do better.

“Ginagawa naming drive ito para maging mas better sa craft namin and [to get] better opportunities,” Alfea said. “[The success] didn’t come easy. Sobrang pinaghirapan namin ‘to. Pinaghandaan namin ang comeback na ‘to (We really worked hard and prepared for it).”

When asked about their “palaban” manifestations, the female trio had three things in mind — contributing to the growth of the P-pop scene, developing their music, and creating a mark.

“Ilaban pa ang P-pop scene para maipalaganap ito sa buong mundo. Sana maappreciate [ng mga tao] at makita ang talents namin (I want to fight for the P-pop scene so it can be known worldwide. I hope the public will appreciate and see our talents for what it is),” Alfea said.

AJ and Jaz have high hopes for their group. “Talagang ma-mark tayo (I hope we can make a mark),” the group’s leader said. “Definitely, ilalaban namin ang discography namin (We’ll definitely fight for our discography with more songs). More songs like ‘Pa-Pa-Pa-Palaban’ and we’ll touch on other genres.”

“I want G22 to be known more than just the visuals and talent, but also the message. When you think of G22, you know their message and we stand strong with that message,” Jaz said.